Former Congressman speaks for Clinton in Washington and Jackson

By Randy Bell

Gregg Harper spent ten years representing Mississippi’s 3rd congressional district in Washington. Now, he’s doing the same for the City of Clinton, only this time as a lobbyist, not a congressman. And even though he was hired to pursue the City’s interests on Capitol Hill, he’s agreed to lobby for Clinton at the State Capitol, too – at no additional cost. The Board of Aldermen voted at its March 15 meeting to officially authorize Harper’s new responsibilities.

While he could focus on any City projects which need Federal and State support, the most crucial need Clinton has is for funding the $97 million effort to bring its wastewater disposal system into state compliance by 2030. It’s a joint venture with a couple of nearby municipalities – Raymond and Bolton – and includes a pipeline to carry the treated sewage to the Big Black River.

Harper says the project will have “a positive impact on western Hinds County,” and he says it’s “an economic development project as much as it is an environmental issue.”
Harper has been splitting his time between Washington and Jackson as he looks for the necessary funds.

“This project can’t be done [with] local money or [just] money from the State,” he says. “It’s obviously a Federal project.”

But Clinton is contributing its share. It’s putting up $6 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds with the hope that the State, with Harper’s encouragement, would provide a $6 million match. He says that would be “a great start” but concedes it may take years to get all of the funding.

“We have to look under every rock,” Harper says. “It’s not an easy process.” But he says he appreciates the commitment of City leaders. “I’m impressed with the way they’re working together as a team for the good of the city.”

The ARPA funds will help, but the former congressman is hoping the project can be included as what used to be called an “earmark” in a future Federal budget. He says the favored term now is “Congressionally-directed spending.” Whatever it is called, it would be the kind of money that could push the project past the finish line.

Harper gave up his House seat in 2019 after announcing he wouldn’t run for re-election.

Mayor Phil Fisher says having him on board as Clinton’s lobbyist at both Capitols has had an impact.

“He not only carries great name recognition, at the same time he understands the process,” Fisher says. According to the mayor, if it was him instead of Harper doing the lobbying in Washington, he would have been “wandering around up there hoping for the best.” Fisher says it’s been a “great relief” to have somebody who knows where to go and who to talk to, especially when you consider what’s at stake.

“This $97 million for this sewer project is crucial if our city is going to be alive after 2030. So, we’ve got to throw our best shot at it. We only get one chance.”

The mayor has already been to Capitol Hill to join the effort to build support for the project and plans to return with some of the Board members in a show of unity.

“I’m really looking forward to more success there.” And, in Jackson, he says Speaker Philip Gunn and other legislative leaders understand the City’s needs. “We’re going to keep piecing this together and moving it along.”